ILOILO – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6 is pushing for the engagement of a third-party consultant to perform a third soil test on the P802-million Aganan flyover in Barangay Aganan, Pavia town.
This flyover, which features a 50-meter span intersection design subject to potential revisions, has been the subject of two differing soil test results.
The initial test conducted by the United Technology Consolidated Partnership (UTCP) and a confirmatory test by DPWH-6 have shown significant discrepancies.
DPWH-6’s move to secure a third-party consultant follows concerns that the Aganan flyover could face similar issues to the P680-million Ungka flyover, also in Pavia, which experienced vertical displacement due to the soft soil it was built on.
UTCP, tasked by the Bureau of Design (BOD) of the DPWH-Central Office with conducting soil tests and designing both flyovers, has yet to respond to the findings from the confirmatory test, prompting DPWH-6 to consider hiring an independent firm for a third analysis.
According to Engr. Sanny Boy Oropel, DPWH-6’s officer-in-charge regional director, the goal is to resolve the discrepancies between the initial and confirmatory tests to determine the most appropriate materials for the flyover’s intersection design.
He emphasized the importance of an unbiased third-party evaluation to guide the project’s direction and avoid further delays.
DPWH-6 is seeking a budget of between P10 million and P15 million for the third-party consultation, with assurances that the soil testing process can be expedited once funding is secured.
The delay in the construction of the Aganan flyover, particularly the installation of girders at the intersection, has been attributed by DPWH-6 to UTCP’s lack of response to the result of the confirmatory test.
Work on the Aganan flyover has been paused since December 2022 as a precautionary measure.
Assistant Regional Director Jose Al Fruto said DPWH-6 is considering the use of steel girders for the 50-meter span intersection instead of concrete./PN
